Impact Stories

Help Them Stay Warm

It’s only the beginning of January, but 2018 is proving to be one of the harshest winters in our region’s history and fuel assistance benefits are already maxed out.

Record freezing temperatures have resulted in a huge demand for fuel assistance. Thousands of low-income families are running out of heat during a time when temperatures are dangerously below average. While we’re all currently experiencing this unprecedented bone-chilling weather, most of us have the option of going inside, turning up the heat, and staying warm—but for others, sadly, this is not an option.

This extraordinarily bitter winter is placing an unimaginable strain on agencies that provide home heating assistance to families in need. The heating season runs from November 1 through the end of April, yet 2,200 households have less than $100 in federal fuel assistance benefits remaining for the season. The good news is that United Way’s Family Fund United Way’s Family Fund provides emergency financial assistance to households in need who have exhausted their federal benefit—as well as families who struggle to make ends meet but do not qualify for state or federal assistance—filling a critical gap that helps thousands of families keep their heat on during the winter.

For over 40 years, United Way’s Family Fund has helped over 90,000 households meet basic needs such as heating, food, and housing. We need your support more than ever— just $100 will provide heat for a month. Please donate to the Family Fund today and help families stay warm.

***Families in need of heating assistance should call United Way’s Mass211 helpline (dial 211) to be directed to their closest community resource.***

To help families keep their heat on during this brutal cold snap, DONATE to support United Way’s Family Fund TODAY.